WCN_Oct18_Final_e

Continued from Page 19
• Rootstock vigor.
··
Walnuts: Black rootstock is generally
less vigorous than seedling or clonal
Paradox rootstock and a closer spacing
is recommended. The relative vigor of
the clonal Paradox rootstocks Vlach,
VX211, and RX1 varies by location and
continue to be investigated. Information
on clonal Paradox rootstock vigor can
be viewed at www.sacvalleyorchards.
com/walnuts/orchard-development/
walnut-trees-in-the-nursery-trade/
Almond trees that will be planted soon.
··
Almonds: Like walnuts, trees
planted on vigorous rootstocks should
be planted at wider spacings than those
with lower vigor. Rootstock selection
should take soil characteristics into account;
for example, a vigorous rootstock
on sandy soils may not perform as well
on fine textured soils. Reach out to your
local farm advisor for information on
how various rootstocks perform under
local conditions.
• Variety (scion) selection.
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··
Walnuts: Chandler and Tulare trees tend to be larger than
Howard trees. If you’re considering a hedgerow planting configuration,
the smaller statured Howard is a better choice than
Chandler.
··
Almonds: Upright varieties such as ‘Aldrich’, ‘Independence’,
or ‘Padre’ may do well at a tighter spacing, while spreading
canopies like that of ‘Monterey’ or ‘Nonpareil’ run the risk of
growing into each other or interfering with equipment operation
at tighter spacing.
• Site, equipment operation and expense.
··
It should go without saying that you need to stay within your
planting area, provide clearance around easements, and allow
equipment clearance in order to prevent injuries to field
workers. Beyond that, wider row spacings require fewer passes
per acre for herbicide, insecticide and fungicide applications
or harvest operations. Establishment costs such as irrigation
design—total length of irrigation line, risers and emitters—increase
with a tighter row spacing.
• Per tree costs.
··
Any activity performed on a per-tree basis—planting, wrapping,
pruning, tying, painting, suckering, etc. will have higher
costs with a greater number of trees per acre.
Continued on Page 22
20
West Coast Nut October 2018